Cover story by Becca Anderson


consumption. T5 lighting is used throughout the facility, and is automatically managed by a ‘daylight harvesting’ sys- tem, which dims or increases the lighting in response to the amount of natural light enter- ing the building. “Eliminating overhead visu-


al clutter was an important goal,” said Sean Curtis, senior


separate dumpers and convey- ors are used, which al low them to sort three separate customer types or classifica- tions at one time. “We are very familiar with


K-Bro’s dedication to deliver- ing the best possible product to their customer base and we recommended equipment to meet these high standards


“Eliminating overhead visual clutter was an important goal.”


V-P and general manager with K-Bro. “This helps equalize lighting throughout the plant, improves sightlines, atmos- phere and overall aesthetic appearance. Maximizing work- er satisfaction is a key underly- ing objective for K-Bro.” A clean-side monorail is


ful ly contained above the offices, with no slings travel- l ing above equipment or employees. Clean linen is con- veyed in slings on the monorail and dropped to various con- veyors, also located in the ele- vated area. Each conveyor transfers the linen to ironers, blanket folders and small-piece folders on the main floor. No mechanical linen pickers


are used on the clean side. Instead, conveyors aid in pul l ing apart each load, enabling improved ergonomic presentation of a couple of pieces at a time to the equip- ment operators. “This elim- inates much of the labour intensity often associated with large-piece flatwork feeding,” said Curtis. “It has improved our employee satisfaction lev- els, reduced work-related injury claims, and increased overall productivity.” This is a boilerless, steam-


less plant, using direct-fired water heaters to heat water for washing, and with thermal fluid used instead of steam for ironers. The sorting system has 72


classifications, including six vacuum sorting tubes used to remove large linen (such as flannels and blankets). Three


2014 July/August FABRICARE CANADA 11


while keeping in mind that productivity is equal ly as important,” said Carlos Fer- nandes, regional vice-presi- dent of Jensen USA.


EQUIPMENT INCLUDES: • Jensen soil-sorting/bag-stor- age system, sized for 21,000 lbs. per hour of sort ing capacity, with 72 sort sta- tions, three cart dumpers, 180 soil-bag storage, a bag maintenance system that predetermines how many bags per day should be brought in for preventive


maintenance in the repair centre, and an automatic rail cleaner.


• Pioneer cart-washing sys- tem, capable of washing 50 carts per hour.


• Jensen batch washing system with two 120 kg 16-module steamless batch washers, two 120 kg 57-bar high- pressure presses with 1.3- meter wide cake, two cake breakers and 24 DT 190 sling/conveyor-loaded single- batch gas-heated dryers.


• Jensen clean-side bag stor- age, sized for 65,000 lbs. of clean-linen storage, 260 clean-bag storage, and 25 drop points for ironer lines, small-piece folders and spe- cialty items.


• Jensen flatwork ironing and full dry systems that include two Logic Plus spreader feeders, four Express cor- nerless spreader feeders, a Basic Plus 5-lane smal l- piece feeder, four 3-roll, 48- inch diameter self-contained thermal heater ironers, four classic large-piece folders, three classic blanket folders, one 5- lane bot tom-up small-piece stacker and nine large-piece stackers.


• Jensen small-piece folders including 13 rapid small- piece folders, and two Tem- atic triple-sort small-piece folders.


“Partnerships, rather that ven- dor/customer relationships was the key to a successful plant design and installation,” said Fernandes.


TWO PRIMARY MARKETS 25% of K-Bro’s business comes from hospitality linen services, and they count among their clients the likes of Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Fair- mont, Hilton, Sheraton and Four Seasons hotels. Each property receives regular visits by a dedicated Customer Ser - vice Representative (CSR) to oversee the relationship and make sure all goes smoothly. CSRs coordinate with the pro- duction team to maximize customer service, design and monitor inventory and pur- chasing systems, and cus- tomize delivery schedules. The remaining 75% of busi-


ness is health care related, including pooled linens, cus- tom operating room packs, uniforms, and other items.


Opposite: An overview of the clean-side processing section of the plant. Below: Automated soil linen cart dumpers transport linen onto incline conveyors to sorting system.


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